INDABA | WEDNESDAY 4 FEBRUARY 2015
First female president for NMMU SRC NELSON Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) inaugurated its first female Student Representative Council (SRC) President last week. The SRC President, Hlomela Bucwa, a fourthyear Law student at NMMU and thirteen members of the council were sworn into their positions. In the absence of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Derrick Swartz, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Institutional Support, Dr Sibongile Muthwa addressed the SRC and guests and highlighted how happy she was that the new SRC President is a woman. “It is symbolic that in 2015, a woman is chosen to lead. We are still far from being an equal society. If we look at Africa as a continent, women in general are not positioned to lead,” said Dr Muthwa. The election of the first female president comes ten years after the university’s conception in 2005, when the merger of the University of Port Elizabeth (UPE), PE Technikon and Vista University’s Port Elizabeth campus saw the birth of NMMU. In her augural address, the newly-inducted president highlighted how privileged she felt to be the one who could “turn the pages of transformation in South Africa”. “We look to be a dynamic and transformational SRC that represents the best interests of the students,” said Hlomela in outlining the SRC’s mission and vision for the year. The eloquent speaker also expressed her disdain at the handling of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) by the university and lamented seeing academically-deserving students being sent home because they could not afford tuition. “This is not in line with the university’s humanising pedagogy in the classroom,” she said adding, however, that the SRC favoured an integrated approach which would see them work with university management. This meant the SRC would, for example, also seek policy reform by influencing policies that were in the best interests of students.
NEWS
Gogo celebrates 100th birthday NCEBA DLADLA THE Elliot Memorial Congregational Church, eRhabe in Huna Street, KwaNobuhle, Uitenhage helped gogo Hannie Danster, a member of the church-women’s manyano, celebrate her 100th birthday recently.
Pictured are (from left) Hlomela Bucwa (SRC president), NMMU Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Institutional Support Dr Sibongile Muthwa and Thanduxolo Bhengu (Deputy SRC President) PHOTO: SUPPLIED
The church’s Rector, Reverend Keketso Bloem, thanked members of the Danster family for allowing the gogo to be a member of the church and subsequently a member of Nonkqubela Ward. “We must support our elderly and ensure that they get the things they require for their physical and spiritual life. uMam’uDanster is well looked after. This is thanks to her child and grandchildren,” said Rev. Bloem about the gogo with one child, five grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Reverend Bloem, who is also a member of the South Africa Synod, presented the gogo with a 100 Years Certificate which he signed on behalf of Elliot Memorial Congregational Church and the Algoa Regional Church Council which covers the Port Elizabeth area and surroundings. According to Rev. Bloem, the Johannesburg-based head of the South Africa Synod, Rev. Thulani Ndlazi, commended the church for the event and congratulated gogo Danster on achieving the milestone. Rev. Bloem thanked both the Nonkqubela Ward and the Elliot Memorial Congregational Church as well as members of the community for making sure that gogo Hannie Danster’s 100th birthday celebration was a resounding success. He thanked Nosipho Kate, Buyiswa Tomson and Simphiwe Lucas for their sterling work of organising the gogo’s birthday party.
For a full transcript of Hlomela’s speech go to http://lifeatnmmu.blogspot.com/lifeatnmmu.
The list of SRC members is as follows:
•Hlomela Bucwa-President •Thanduxolo Bhengu-Deputy President •Baxolile Nodada-Secretary General •Naledi/Surprise Swanepoel-Deputy Secretary General •Zolani Ndzungu-Treasurer General •Zawo Kalimashe-Societies Officer •Anele Zondi-Accommodations and Catering Officer •Yondela Nojozi-Culture Officer •Thandeka Tshabalala-Community Development •Mr Ziyanda Sibeko-Public Relations Officer •Xolisa Manzana-Transformation, Gender & Special Needs •Rowan Sampson-Sport Officer •Adonisi Shikwamba-Oppidani Officer •Xabiso Nicholas Nyati-Academic Officer •Vuyo Mtshengu-Safety, Health & Environment •Milisa Mbotya-Site Rep: Missionvale Campus •Siqhamosihle Skhosana-Site Rep: North Campus •Yandisa Lubabalo Ndzoyiya-Site Rep: 2nd Avenue – REPORTER
Gogo Hannie Danster celebrated 100 years with family and church members. PHOTO:SUPPLIED
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